Who's Ready for Christmas Break?

I'm having one of those days where forming a complete thought is a herculean effort, let alone forming sentences that make sense to 5th graders. It's one of those days where I sit at my desk, stuffing Hershey's kisses in my mouth as I pray for Christmas break to get here already.

Actual conversations that could be overheard in my classroom:
Student: I'm so tired...can I just sit here? (from under table)
Me: Well, if you're going to sit under the table, at least read a book.

Students: Can we play the next game now?
Me (not wanting to explain the rules of the next game): Wouldn't you rather have a rematch of the game you just played?
Students: ...

Me: OK, who's got the answer to #1?
Students: ... (sounds of silence)
Me (tapping invisible microphone): Hello? Is this thing on?

Teacher of the Year material over here, guys.

Just remember...

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Have a happy weekend! I am so excited to be in one of my best friend's wedding tomorrow!!

xoxo,

E

Holiday Gift Guide Round-Up

So it's probably a little late to get in on the holiday gift guide game at this point. We've got 12 days until Christmas, but I always end up second guessing my gift choices at this point. Are they going to like it? Are they going to get it? Is it thoughtful enough? Is it too sentimental?

Leg Lamp, anyone?

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I'm not usually a fan of holiday gift guides because I feel like they tend to be full of useless but pretty things that just seem so holiday-gift-guide-ish. I feel like someone would totally know I copped out and shopped a gift guide instead of genuinely thinking about who I was buying for and what they like.

That being said, this is a holiday gift guide round up. These are gift guides that I either have actually bought things from or have thought "huh, that's a really great idea, if I hadn't already bought that completely thoughtful gift, I would totally buy that" while scrolling through it.

• Emily at Cupcakes and Cashmere has some great gift guides that are so stylish and thoughtful at different price points (under $25 and under $100). Each selection really feels handpicked. I even bought my dad something from her gift guide for men. Actually just look up any of her gift guides; they all rock.

• Dinner A Love Story's 2011 gift guide...the 2012 gift guide was pretty good (come to me, Le Creuset french press), but I really like the idea of receiving Pantone ornaments...so I went with this one.

• As always, Gilt has curated a beautiful and unexpected boutique, this time for the holidays. It has lovelies at every price point, without ever sacrificing style. Get your invite here.

OK, so that was only three. Told you I was picky! I've been seriously coveting almost everything on all these for a little while now, so I had to record them here so I could get back to them in the future! 

I hope you're enjoying holiday preparations...remember, if you're in a pinch, nothing says "I love you" like a Starbucks gift card!

xoxo,

E

Mini Apple Pies

As I'm sure you'll agree, everything is better in mini form. My family likes to joke that I have a mini-life. I drive a Volkswagen Bug, have a four-pound dog, live in a small, one-room apartment...you get it. I just think mini things are so much more fun!

I tip-toed into the mini dessert world with this lovely, and since it turned out so well, I figured I'd give it another go at Thanksgiving with mini apple pies!

So good it didn't make it all the way to the iPhoto shoot.

This treat is another courtesy-of-Pinterest find. I basically followed the recipe, but had to make a few adjustments based on what was in my mom's kitchen. To me, she's the queen of looking at a recipe, realizing we have almost none of the ingredients in the house, and still claiming that we can make the cookies/muffins/coq au vin. Ok, maybe not the last one. She's always right though; they were delicious. So definitely look at the recipe, but then feel free to grab whatever you can find around the kitchen and throw it in a pie crust.

Mini pies get a small cube of cold butter before baking because...why not?

Apples are fruit, and you can eat fruit for breakfast...so...

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,

E

I'm Alive!

Hello all! I'm still alive! I've never left off with the blogging for so long since I started this blog...which makes me a little sad. Not really sure why it's been so long, but I'm back!

As penance, I'll leave you with this:

Yes, that would be my four-pound nugget dog in candy cane pajamas. Someone is ready for Santa!

xoxo,

E